"Women in Mathematics grew out of the desire to trace the impact women have had on the development of mathematical thought, to profile the lives of these women, and to explore the social context within which they worked." (Preface, Osen).
Specifically, this book delves into the lives and works of Hypatia, Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Emilie de Breteuil, Marquise du Chatelet, Caroline Herschel, Sophie Germain, Mary Fairfax Somerville, Sonya Corvin-Krukovsky Kovalevsky, and Emmy (Amalie) Noether.
The dedication and resourcefulness of these women is inspiring. While some were brought up to be mathematically-minded, many had to fight for the right to even look in a book that featured such "manly" pursuits. There were often similarities between stories, like reading textbooks secretly by candlelight because their parents forbade it.
Whether you're a woman or a mathematician, you should definitely check out this book, as many of these figures, despite their greatness, are too often left out from general mathematics history books, with no valid reason other than their sex. Borrow it tomorrow (this copy is from Ultimo TAFE library).
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